System and method to identify an item depicted when media content is displayed

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving, at a media device, media content from a media content server. A portion of the media content includes a first item concurrently depicted with a second item. The method includes receiving an input indicating a selection of the second item within the media content. The method includes, in response to the input, sending an identification request for information corresponding to the second item to an identification server in response to the input. The identification request includes data relating to a depiction of the second item. The method also includes receiving the information from the identification server in response to the identification request. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/492,337, filed Oct. 1, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/863,092, filed Apr. 30, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No.11,166,078), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/205,963, filed Jul. 8, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,116), which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/629,546, filed Dec. 2,2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,407,973), which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to identifying an itemdepicted when media content is displayed.

BACKGROUND

Media content displayed at a display device by a set top box device mayinclude items that may be of interest to a viewer. For example, whenmedia content (e.g., a movie, a television program, or an advertisement)is displayed at a display device, the media content may depict variousitems, such as an automobile, a wrist watch, a sofa, or an article ofclothing. The viewer may desire to obtain additional information aboutone or more of the displayed items to determine whether to purchase thedisplayed item(s). To illustrate, while viewing displayed media content,the viewer may see an automobile and desire additional information aboutthe automobile, such as an identity of the automobile, a location wherethe automobile may be purchased, or a purchase price of the automobile.The viewer may conduct an online search or contact an advertiserassociated with the automobile to obtain more information about thedisplayed item and to purchase the automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a systemto identify an item depicted when media content is displayed;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a systemto identify an item depicted when media content is displayed;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method toidentify an item depicted when media content is displayed;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a methodto identify an item depicted when media content is displayed; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To enable a user to purchase or to obtain information about an itemdepicted when media content is displayed, the media content receivedfrom a media content server at a set-top box device includes one or moremetadata tags associated with one or more purchasable items depictedwhen the media content is displayed. The media content is sent to adisplay device. A user selection to visually identify the one or morepurchasable items depicted by the displayed media content is received.The user selection may be received from a remote control device. Adisplay request is sent to the display device or to the set top boxdevice to visually identify the one or more purchasable items depicted.The display device may visually identify the one or more purchasableitems depicted. A purchase request is received to purchase one of theone or more purchasable items depicted in the media content. Thepurchase request may be received from an input device, such as a mouse,a touch tablet, or a touch screen associated with the display device.

In a particular embodiment, a computer-implemented method includesreceiving, at a set- top box device, media content from a media contentserver. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associatedwith one or more items depicted when the media content is displayed. Thecomputer-implemented method includes sending the media content to adisplay device. The computer-implemented method also includes receivinga first user selection to visually identify the one or more items. Thecomputer-implemented method further includes sending a display requestto the display device to visually identify the one or more items. Thecomputer-implemented method also includes receiving a purchase requestto purchase at least one of the one or more items depicted in the mediacontent.

In another particular embodiment, a server includes a processor and acomputer-readable storage medium having operational instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the server to receive a requestfrom a set top box device for information about an item. The requestincludes a metadata tag associated with the item. The metadata tagidentifies that the associated item is purchasable via the set top boxdevice. The computer-readable storage medium further includesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theserver to retrieve the information about the item from a database basedon the associated metadata tag. The computer-readable storage mediumalso includes operational instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the server to send the information about the item tothe set top box device.

In another particular embodiment, a set top box device includes aprocessor and a network interface to receive media content includingmetadata tags associated with items depicted when the media content isdisplayed. The metadata tags identify the associated items aspurchasable via the set top box device. The set top box device includesa tag filter having operational instructions that are executable by theprocessor to identify metadata tags that match a set of user preferencesand to select items depicted based on the set of user preferences. Theset top box device also includes an output interface to send a requestto a display device to visually identify the selected items. The set topbox device further includes an input interface to receive a purchaserequest selecting a particular item from the visually identified itemsfor purchase and to send the purchase request via the output interfaceto an electronic commerce server.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a first particular embodimentof a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayedis shown and is generally designated 100. The system 100 includes a settop box device 102 coupled to an identification server 104 and coupledto a media content server 106 via a network 108. A display device 110and an input device 130 may be coupled to the set top box device 102. Aremote control device 132 or the input device 130 may be used by a userto interact with the set top box device 102.

The network 108 may include a wireline network (e.g., a public switchedtelephone network), a wireless network (e.g., code division multipleaccess, global system for mobile, universal mobile telephone service,IEEE 802.11), an optical network (e.g. synchronous optical network),another type of network, or any combination thereof. In a particularembodiment, the network 108 is an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)network.

The media content server 106 may send the media content 160 to the settop box device 102 via the network 108. The media content 160 mayinclude a television program, a movie, on- demand programming,pay-per-view programming, over-the-top media content, another type ofmedia content, or any combination thereof. The media content 160 may bedownloaded or streamed from the media content server 106. The mediacontent 160 may include metadata tags 162 that are associated withpurchasable items that are depicted when the media content 160 isdisplayed. The metadata tags 162 may include a metadata tag 124. Thepurchasable items may include tangible goods (e.g., a beverage, anarticle of clothing, a piece of furniture, a means of transportation,etc.) or services (e.g., carpet cleaning services, home renovationservices, automobile repair services, etc.)

The remote control device 132 may include a selection mode that causes acursor or other visual positioning identifier to be displayed at thedisplay device 110. The user may move the remote control device 132 toselect one or more items displayed at the display device 110.

The input device 130 may be a mouse, a touch tablet, a touch screendevice associated with the display device 110, or any combinationthereof. The input device may be touch sensitive (e.g. touch screen) andmay enable the user to select one or more items displayed at the displaydevice 110 via touch input, such as by dragging a finger across theinput device 130. The input device 130 may be used to select one or moreitems displayed at the display device 110 that do not have an associatedmetadata tag.

The identification server 104 includes a processor 112 and a memory 114.The memory 114 includes instructions 115 that are executable by theprocessor 112 to perform various functions of the identification server104. The identification server 104 may be used to identify and providemore information about a particular item selected by the user. Forexample, the user may select the first item 118 and send a request tothe set top box device 102 for more information about the first item118. The set top box device 102 may send an identification request 148that includes the metadata tag 124 to the identification server 104 toidentify and provide more information about the first item 118. Theidentification server 104 may identify the first item 118 and sendinformation 152 associated with the first item 118 to the set top boxdevice 102 for display at the display device 110. When an item depictedin the media content (e.g., the second item 120) does not have anassociated metadata tag, the user may select the item using the remotecontrol device 132 or the input device 130. The set top box device 102may capture an image 151 of the second item 120 and send anidentification request 150 that includes the image 151 to theidentification server 104. For example, the set top box device 102 mayperform a screen capture of the media content 160 displayed at thedisplay device 110 and modify (e.g. trim) the screen capture to includethe second item 120 and to exclude other items (e.g. the first item118). The identification server 104 may receive the identificationrequest 150 that includes the image 151 and may identify the second item120 by comparing the image 151 to other images stored in a database.

The set top box device 102 may receive media content 160 from the mediacontent server 106 via the network 108 and display the media content 160at the display device 110. The media content 160 may include themetadata tags 162 that are associated with purchasable items that aredepicted when the media content 160 is displayed. The set top box device102 includes user preferences 116. The user preferences 116 may be usedto filter the metadata tags 162 to enable purchasable items (e.g. itemsdepicted that have the associated metadata tags 162) that match the userpreferences 116 (e.g., purchasable items that are of interest to theuser) to be displayed. The media content 160 that is displayed at thedisplay device 110 may depict a first item 118 and a second item 120. Atleast one of the items 118 and 120 displayed at the display device 110may be a purchasable item. The user may select an item displayed at thedisplay device 110 to request the set top box device 102 to obtain moreinformation about the item. When the selected item has an associatedmetadata tag (e.g., the first item 118), the set top box device 102 maysend an information request 148 including the metadata tag 124 to theidentification server 104. When the selected item does not have anassociated metadata tag (e.g., the second item 120), the set top boxdevice 102 may capture an image 151 of the selected item and send theinformation request 150 including the image 151 to the identificationserver 104. In response to receiving the request 148 or the request 150,the identification server 104 may send the information 152 to the settop box device 102 for display at the display device 110.

A manufacturer may pay to have one of their products displayed or usedin the media content 160 (e.g., a television program or movie). A mediacontent producer, a media content service provider, a metadata taginsertion company, or any combination thereof may analyze the mediacontent and modify the media content to include the metadata tags 162.For example, the media content 160 maybe modified so that the metadatatag 124 is present when the product (e.g., the first item 118) isdisplayed in a particular scene or frame of the movie. To illustrate,when the media content 160 is presented at the display device and theproduct is depicted, the metadata tag 124 associated with the productmay be present in the media content 160. The metadata tag 124 may enablea user to find out more information about the product or to purchase theproduct. For example, a car manufacturer may pay a movie productioncompany to feature their latest automobile, such as the first item 118,in a movie. The movie production company may modify the media content160 that is associated with the movie to include the metadata tags 162.When the media content 160 is displayed at the display device 110, eachtime the first item 118 is displayed, the metadata tag 124 may bepresent. The user may use the remote control device 132 or the inputdevice 130 to instruct the set top box device 102 to visually identifyitems with an associated metadata tag. The set top box device 102 mayinstruct the display device 110 to visually display the items with anassociated metadata tag. The display device 110 may visually identifyitems in the media content with an associated metadata tag using avisual identifier 170. For example, the visual identifier 170 may be ageometric shape, such as a square, a triangle, or a circle thatencompasses at least a portion of the first item 118. The visualidentifier 170 may have a semi-opaque background color to enable a userto visually determine which items displayed at the display device 110have an associated metadata tag. The user may select one of the visuallyidentified items and may request more information about the item orinitiate a purchase of the item. For example, after the user selects anitem, the user may be presented with a menu 126 that provides a set ofoptions, such as purchasing the first item 118 or obtaining moreinformation about the first item 118. In response, the set top boxdevice 102 may send the information request 148 to the identificationserver 104, receive the information 152, and present the information 152at the display device 110.

In operation, the set top box device 102 may receive the media content160 from the media content server 106 via the network 108. The mediacontent 160 may include the metadata tags 162. The metadata tags 162 maybe associated with purchasable items that are depicted when the mediacontent is displayed. The set top box device 102 may send the mediacontent 160 to the display device 110.

The set top box device 102 may receive a first user selection 140 tovisually identify one or more items depicted with associated metadatatags (e.g. the first item 118 with the associated metadata tag 124). Thefirst user selection 140 may be received from the input device 130 orthe remote control device 132. After the set top box device 102 receivesthe first user selection 140, the set top box device 102 may send adisplay request 154 to the display device 110 to visually identify theone or more items depicted in the media content 160 when the mediacontent 160 is displayed. For example, the set top box device 102 maysend the display request 154, causing the display device 110 to displaya visual identifier 170 to identify the first item 118 with theassociated metadata tag 124. The media content 160 that is sent to thedisplay device 110 may be paused before sending the display request 154to visually identify those items having an associated metadata tag atthe display device 110.

The set top box device 102 may display a menu 126 that provides the userwith a set of options, such as an option to purchase the first item 118or an option to obtain information about the first item 118. Forexample, the menu 126 may have an option to obtain a selling price ofthe item 118, an option to obtain specifications and features of thefirst item 118, an option to obtain a purchase price of the first item118, an option to obtain other information about the first item 118, orany combination thereof. The set top box device 102 may receive a seconduser selection 142 indicating a request for information about aparticular item, such as the first item 118, corresponding to theassociated metadata tag 124. The second user selection 142 may include aselection of an item displayed at the display device 110. The seconduser selection 142 may include an identification of a menu item of themenu 126. The set top box device 102 may send a request 148 includingthe metadata tag 124 to the identification server 104. Theidentification server 104 may send the information 152 to the set topbox device 102 for presentation at the display device 110.

The set top box device 102 may receive a third selection 144 indicatinga request for information about an item that does not have an associatedmetadata tag, such as the second item 120. For example, the user mayinteract with the set top box device 102 to identify the second item 120via the input device 130 or via the remote control device 132. Forexample, the user may provide a hand gesture input to the input device130 (e.g., a touch screen or touch tablet) to select the second item120. In another example, the user may use the remote control device 132to perform a gesture to select the second item 120. The set top box 102may capture an image 151 of the second item 120 and send a request 150including the image 151 to the identification server 104. For example, ascreen capture of the display device 110 may be trimmed to capture theimage 151. The identification server 104 may use pattern recognition toidentify the image 151 as the second item 120. For example, theidentification server 104 may compare the image 151 to other imagesstored at a database (not shown) at the identification server 104. Afteridentifying the image 151, the identification server 104 may retrievethe information 152 associated with the identified image 151. Forexample, the identification server 104 may retrieve the information 152from a database (not shown). The identification server 104 may send theinformation 152 to the set top box device 102 for display at the displaydevice 110. For example, when the second item 120 is a particular makeand model of an automobile, the identification server 104 may identifythe make and model of the automobile based on the image 151 and may sendthe information 152 to the set top box device 102 for display at thedisplay device 110. The information 152 may include a purchase price ofthe item, a location of a dealership where the automobile may bepurchased, specifications and features of the automobile (e.g., the sizeof the engine, the size of the tires, etc.), options available for theautomobile, other information associated with the second item 120, orany combination thereof.

The set top box device 102 may receive a purchase request 146 from theremote control device 132 or from the input device 130 to purchase oneor more of the items displayed at the display device 110, such as thefirst item 118 or the second item 120. The purchase request 146 may bereceived after the information 152 is displayed at the display device.For example, the information 152 may include a price of an itemdisplayed at the display device 110, and the user may send the purchaserequest 146 to the set top box device 102 after viewing the information152 that includes the price of the item.

Thus, the metadata tags 162 may be used to identify purchasable itemsassociated with the media content 160, enabling a user to purchase orobtain the information 152 about the purchasable items via the set topbox device 102. The remote control device 132 or the input device 130may be used to select items displayed by the media content 160 at thedisplay device 110 that do not have an associated metadata tag and topurchase or obtain the information 152 about the purchasable items.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a block diagram of a second particular embodimentof a system to identify an item depicted when media content is displayedis shown and generally designated 200. The system 200 includes a set topbox device 202 coupled to an identification server 204, an electroniccommerce server 205, and a media content server 206 via a network 208. Aremote control device 232 may be used to wirelessly interact with theset top box device 202. An input device 230 and a display device 210 maybe coupled to the set top box device 202.

The network 208 may be a wireline network, a wireless network, abroadband network, an Internet Protocol (IP) based network (e.g., anIPTV network), an optical network, or any combination thereof.

The media content server 206 may send media content 260 to the set topbox device 202 via the network 208. The media content 260 may include atelevision program, a movie, on-demand programming, pay-per-viewprogramming, over-the-top media content, another type of media content,or any combination thereof. The media content 260 may be downloaded orstreamed from the media content server 206. The media content 260 mayinclude metadata tags 262 that are associated with purchasable itemsthat are depicted when the media content 260 is displayed. The metadatatags 262 may include a metadata tag 224 that is associated with a firstitem 218 that is depicted when the media content 260 is displayed at adisplay device, such as the display device 210. The purchasable itemsmay include tangible goods (e.g., a beverage, an article of clothing, apiece of furniture, a means of transportation, etc.) or services (e.g.,carpet cleaning services, home renovation services, automobile repairservices, etc.)

The remote control device 232 may be placed in a selection mode thatcauses a cursor or other visual positioning identifier to be displayedat the display device 210. The user may move the remote control device232 to select one or more items displayed at the display device 210. Theinput device 230 may be a mouse, a touch tablet, a touch screen deviceassociated with the display device 210, or any combination thereof.

The input device may be touch sensitive (e.g. touch screen) and enablethe user to select one or more items displayed at the display device 210via touch input, such as by dragging a finger across the input device230. The input device 230 may be used to select one or more itemsdisplayed at the display device 210 that do not have an associatedmetadata tag.

The identification server 204 may receive an identification request 250that includes a metadata tag 224 or an image 251. The identificationrequest 250 may request the identification server 204 to identify anitem displayed at the display device 210 based on the metadata tag 224or the image 251. The identification server 204 may include a database270 that stores images of items depicted when media content 260 isdisplayed, metadata tags associated items depicted when the mediacontent 260 is displayed, information associated with items depictedwhen the media content 260 is displayed, or any combination thereof.

The electronic commerce server 205 may include an account 272 of asubscriber associated with the set top box device 202. The account 272may include an address 273 (e.g., a street address, city, state, and zipcode) associated with a location of the set top box device 202.

The set top box device 202 includes a network interface 272, an inputinterface 274, a processor 276, an output interface 278, and a memory280. The memory 280 may include a tag filter module 282 havinginstructions 286 that are executable by the processor 276 to performfunctions of the tag filter 282. The memory 280 may also include userpreferences 284. The user preferences 284 may specify which types ofmetadata tags to send to the display device 210 with the media content260. The network interface 272 may receive media content 260 from themedia content server 206 via the network 208. The input interface 274may receive input from a user via the remote control device 232, theinput device 230, or any combination thereof.

In operation, the network interface 272 may receive the media content260 from the media content server 206 via the network 208. The mediacontent 260 may include metadata tags 262. The metadata tags 262 mayidentify purchasable items depicted by the media content 260 when themedia content 260 is displayed.

The tag filter 282 may include the software instructions 286 that areexecutable by the processor 276 to identify one or more metadata tags(e.g., the metadata tag 224) from the metadata tags 262 that match oneor more of the user preferences 284. The tag filter 282 may filter themetadata tags 262 based on the user preferences 284 to generate filteredmetadata tags 264. For example, when the user preferences 284 indicatethat the user is interested in automobiles, the instructions 286 may beexecuted by the processor 276 to filter the metadata tags 262 resultingin the filtered metadata tags 264 that match the user preferences 284(e.g., the filtered metadata tags 264 are metadata tags associated withautomobiles depicted when the media content 260 is displayed). Theoutput interface 278 may send the media content 260 including thefiltered metadata tags 264 for presentation to the display device 210.

The set top box device 202 may receive a display request 254 at theinput interface 274 from the user via the remote control device 232 orvia the input device 230. The display request 254 may include a requestto visually identify purchasable items (e.g., items with an associatedmetadata tag) depicted by the media content 260 that is displayed at thedisplay device 210. In response, the set top box device 202 may send thedisplay request 254 to the display device 210. The display device 210may receive the display request 254 and present a visual identifier 270to visually identify the first item 218 having the associated metadatatag 224.

When the user is interested in one or more items depicted in the mediacontent 260 displayed at the display device 210, the display request 254may instruct the display device 210 to display a grid 211. The inputinterface 274 may receive grid coordinates 248 corresponding tocoordinates associated with an item located within the grid 210 toselect an item that is of interest to the user. For example, in the grid211, the user may use the remote control device 232 or the input device230 to input the grid coordinates 248 to select the second item 220located at the coordinates B2.

After the set top box device 202 receives the data selecting an item 244or the grid coordinates 248, the set top box device 202 may receive aninfom1ation request 242 or a purchase request 246 associated with theselected item. For example, the set top box device 202 may receive thedata selecting an item 244 corresponding to the first item 218 or thegrid coordinates 248 corresponding to the second item 220. When the settop box device 202 receives the information request 242 and the item hasthe associated metadata tag 224, the set top box device 202 may send therequest 250 including the metadata tag 224 to the identification server204. When the set top box device 202 receives the grid coordinates 248,the set top box device 202 may acquire the image 251 of the item (e.g.,using a screen capture) and send the request 250 including the image 251to the identification server 204. The identification server 204 mayreceive the request 250 and retrieve the information 252 from thedatabase 270 based on the metadata tag 224 or based on the image 251.The identification server 204 may send the information 252 to the settop box device 202 for display at the display device 210.

The set top box device 202 may receive a purchase request 246 of aparticular item (e.g. one of the items 218 and 220) selected by the userfor purchase. The set top box device 202 may send the purchase request246 to the electronic commerce server 205 for processing. The purchaserequest 246 may instruct the electronic commerce server 205 to send anitem to the address 273 associated with the set top box device 202. Thepurchase request 246 may instruct the electronic commerce server 205 tobill the purchase of the selected item to the account 272 associatedwith the set top box device 202.

Thus, the metadata tags 262 may be used to identify purchasable itemsupon display of the media content 260, enabling a user to purchase orobtain the infom1ation 252 about the purchasable items via the set topbox device 202. The remote control device 232 or the input device 230may be used to select items depicted when the media content 260 isdisplayed at the display device 210 and that do not have an associatedmetadata tag to purchase or obtain the information 252 about thepurchasable items.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method toidentify an item represented by media content. The method may beperformed by a set top box device, such as the set top box device 102 ofFIG. 1 or the set top box device 202 of FIG. 2 .

The method begins, at 302, with a set top box device receiving mediacontent from a media content server. The media content includes one ormore metadata tags associated with one or more items represented by themedia content. Moving to 304, the media content is sent to a displaydevice. For example, in FIG. 1 , the media content 160, including themetadata tags 162, is received at the set top box device 102 from themedia content server 106. In FIG. 1 , the set top box device 102 sendsthe media content 160 to the display device 110.

Advancing to 306, a first user selection is received to visuallyidentify the one or more items depicted in the media content that havean associated metadata tag. Continuing to 308, the media content beingsent to the display device may be paused. Proceeding to 310, a displayrequest is sent to the display device to visually identify the one ormore items depicted in the media content having the associated metadatatag. For example, in FIG. 1 , the set top box device 102 may receive thefirst user selection 140, causing the set top box device 102 to instructthe display device 110 to visually identify the first item 118 with theassociated metadata tag 124. The set top box device 102 may pausesending the media content 160 to the display device 110.

Continuing to 312, a second user selection may be received indicating arequest for infon11ation about an item depicted when the media contentis displayed. Advancing to 314, an identification request may be sent toa server. The identification request may include a metadata tagassociated with the item, an image of the item, other data associatedwith the item, or any combination thereof. Moving to 316, informationabout the item may be received from the server. Continuing to 318,information about the item may be sent to the display device. Forexample, in FIG. 1 , the set top box device 102 may receive the seconduser selection 142. In response, the set top box device 102 may send therequest 148 or the request 150 to the identification server 104 and mayreceive the information 152 for display at the display device 110.

Proceeding to 320, a purchase request may be received. The purchaserequest may be for an item depicted when the media content is displayed.The item may or may not have an associated metadata tag. For example, inFIG. 1 , the set top box device 102 may receive the purchase request146. The purchase request 146 may be associated with the first item 118with the associated metadata tag 124 or with the second item 120 thatdoes not have an associated metadata. The method ends at 322.

Thus, metadata tags may be used to identify purchasable items in mediacontent that is displayed by a set top box device at a display device.The metadata tags may enable a user to purchase or obtain infon11ationabout the purchasable items via the set top box device.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of second particular embodiment of a method toidentify an item depicted when media content is displayed. The methodmay be perfom1ed by an identification server, such as the identificationserver 104 of FIG. 1 or the identification server 204 of FIG. 2 .

The method begins, by receiving a request from a set top box forinformation about an item, at 402. The request includes a metadata tagassociated with the item. The metadata tag identifies that theassociated item is purchasable via the set top box. Moving to 406,info1111ation about the item is sent to the set top box device. Forexample, in FIG. 2 , the identification server 204 may receive therequest 250 that includes the metadata tag 224. In response, theidentification server 204 may retrieve the information 252 from thedatabase 270 based on the metadata tag 224 and may send the information252 to the set top box device 202 for display at the display device 210.

Advancing to 408, a second request for information about a second itemmay be received. The second request may include an image of the seconditem. Advancing to 410, a search may be performed to determine anidentity of the second item based on the image of the second item.Proceeding to 412, information about the second item may be retrievedbased on the identity of the second item. Advancing to 414, theinformation about the second item may be sent to the set top box deviceand the set top box may display such information. For example, in FIG. 2, the identification server 204 may receive the request 250 thatincludes the image 251. In response, the identification server 204 mayretrieve the information 252 from the database 270 based on the image251 and may send the information 252 to the set top box device 202 fordisplay at the display device 210. The method ends at 416.

Thus, an identification server may receive a metadata tag or an imagefrom a set top box device. The metadata tag or the image may beassociated with an item depicted when media content is displayed at adisplay device. The identification server may identify the item based onthe metadata tag or the image, retrieve information about the item, andsend the information to the set top box device for display at a displaydevice.

Referring to FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 500. The computer system 500 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 500 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 500, or any portionthereof, may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 500 may operate in thecapacity of a set-top box device, or a server, such as an identificationserver, an electronic commerce server, an authorization server, or amedia content server as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2 .The computer system 500 can also be implemented as or incorporated intovarious devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, or any othermachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In aparticular embodiment, the computer system 500 can be implemented usingelectronic devices that provide voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single computer system 500 is illustrated, the term“system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems orsub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiplesets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the computer system 500 may include aprocessor 502, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system500 can include a main memory 504 and a static memory 506 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 508. As shown, the computer system500 may further include a video display unit 510, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, or a solid-state display. Additionally, the computersystem 700 may include an input device 512, such as a keyboard, and acursor control device 514, such as a mouse. The computer system 500 canalso include a disk drive unit 516, a signal generation device 518, suchas a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device 520.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5 , the disk drive unit516 may include a computer-readable medium 522 in which one or more setsof instructions 524, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 524 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 524 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 504,the static memory 506, and/or within the processor 502 during executionby the computer system 500. The main memory 504 and the processor 502also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 524 or receives and executes instructions 524, sothat a device connected to a network 526 can communicate voice, video ordata over the network 526. Further, the instructions 524 may betransmitted or received over the network 526 via the network interfacedevice 520.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any tangible storagemedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set ofinstructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computersystem to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosedherein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly,the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored.

In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein maybe implemented as one or more software programs ru1ming on a computerprocessor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limitedto, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Furthermore, alternative softwareimplementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosedmethods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as:a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory cardor other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories. The software may also utilize a signal including computerinstructions.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission, video, or wireless system (e.g.,TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, MPEG, SMPTE, H.264, HDMI, wireless HDMI,wireless HD, CDMA, GSM, UMTS, IEEE 802.11) represent examples of thestate of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by fasteror more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same orsimilar functions as those disclosed herein are considered equivalentsthereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the disclosure is to be detem1ined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: modifying, by a processingsystem including a processor, media content for display at a displaydevice, wherein the modified media content comprises a first visualidentifier associated with a first group of items depicted in the mediacontent, the first group of items associated with a first group ofmetadata tags; receiving, by the processing system, informationregarding a selection of a first item depicted in the media content; andgenerating, by the processing system, a first identification request,wherein in accordance with the first item being selected from the firstgroup of items, the first identification request comprises a firstmetadata tag of the first group of metadata tags, and wherein inaccordance with the first item not being selected from the first groupof items, the first identification request comprises first image datafor the first item and first grid coordinates locating the first item ona grid displayed at the display device.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: transmitting, by the processing system, the firstidentification request; and receiving, by the processing system, firstinformation associated with the first item.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the media content is modified in response to receiving a firstinput.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first input corresponds toa pause command.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first informationis received via a second input.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thefirst input and the second input respectively comprise a user-generatedinput.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first group of items andthe first item are depicted in a first scene of a plurality of scenes ofthe media content.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingobtaining, by the processing system, user preferences, wherein the firstgroup of items in the first scene match the user preferences.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the media content is modified in response toreceiving a first input corresponding to a first pause command, whereinthe modified media content comprises a first modified version of thefirst scene, and further comprising: generating, by the processingsystem, a second modified version of a second scene of the plurality ofscenes of the media content in response to receiving a third inputcorresponding to a second pause command, wherein the second modifiedversion of the second scene comprises a second visual identifierassociated with a second group of items in the second scene that matchthe user preferences and are associated with a second group of metadatatags; and receiving, by the processing system, a fourth inputcorresponding to a second selection of a second item from items in thesecond scene.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first modifiedversion of the first scene comprises an image of the first scene, andwherein the first visual identifier comprises a selectable visualidentifier for each item of the first group of items.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first visual identifier comprises an iconassociated with each item of the first group of items.
 12. A devicecomprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: modifyingmedia content for display at a display device, wherein the modifiedmedia content comprises a first identifier associated with a first groupof items depicted in the media content, the first group of itemsassociated with a first group of metadata tags; receiving informationregarding a selection of a first item depicted in the media content; andgenerating a first identification request, wherein in accordance withthe first item being selected from the first group of items, the firstidentification request comprises a first metadata tag of the first groupof metadata tags, and wherein in accordance with the first item notbeing selected from the first group of items, the first identificationrequest comprises first image data for the first item and first gridcoordinates locating the first item on a grid displayed at the displaydevice.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the media content ismodified in response to receiving a first input, and wherein theoperations further comprise: transmitting, by the processing system, thefirst identification request; and receiving, by the processing system,first information associated with the first item.
 14. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the first input corresponds to a pause command,wherein the first information is received via a second input, whereinthe first input and the second input respectively comprise auser-generated input.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the firstgroup of items and the first item are depicted in a first scene of aplurality of scenes of the media content.
 16. The device of claim 12,wherein the first identifier comprises a first visual identifierincluding an icon associated with each item of the first group of items.17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations comprising: modifyingmedia content for display at a display device, wherein the modifiedmedia content comprises a first identifier associated with a first groupof items depicted in the media content, the first group of itemsassociated with a first group of metadata tags; receiving informationregarding a selection of a first item depicted in the media content;wherein the first group of items and the first item are depicted in afirst scene of a plurality of scenes of the media content; andgenerating a first identification request, wherein in accordance withthe first item being selected from the first group of items, the firstidentification request comprises a first metadata tag of the first groupof metadata tags, and wherein in accordance with the first item notbeing selected from the first group of items, the first identificationrequest comprises first image data for the first item and first gridcoordinates locating the first item on a grid displayed at the displaydevice.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17,wherein the media content is modified in response to receiving a firstinput, and wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting thefirst identification request; and receiving first information associatedwith the first item.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 18, wherein the first input corresponds to a pause command,wherein the first information is received via a second input, whereinthe first input and the second input respectively comprise auser-generated input.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 17, wherein the first identifier comprises a first visualidentifier including an icon associated with each item of the firstgroup of items.